Australia and New Zealand Military Thread, Economy , News and Updates

[jhungary]

Ships must be ready - ex-chief

HMAS Canberra and her sister ship, HMAS Adelaide, must be completed and operational on time regardless of what happens with defence spending, a retired senior army chief says.

Major-General (ret) Jim Molan, speaking to Fairfax Media from the Middle East, said the ships were a ''terrific capability'' and had to be ready on schedule.

The Canberra was formally named at a special ceremony in Melbourne on Friday. Work on Adelaide's hull is still under way in Spain.

With a combined price tag of about $3 billion dollars, the two vessels will each need a crew of 358 navy, army and air force personnel and will be capable of carrying more than 1000 soldiers and their equipment. HMAS Canberra is expected to be commissioned into the Australian Defence Force next year.

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Tens of billions of dollars have been slashed from forward defence spending estimates since work on the Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) began in 2008.

General Molan conceded the ships had come in for some criticism (due to their sheer size) and that there were concerns about finding crew and training soldiers to deploy on board them.

''But you can overcome issues such as crewing and training as long as you have the willpower to do it,'' he said. ''They (the LHDs) are a big step up but it is one that is within the reach of the ADF.''

While other figures in the military, including former chief of army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, have supported the capability not everybody is an enthusiast.

Andrew Davies, a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said ''if I was setting out to design an amphibious force for Australia it wouldn't involve ships that are this big''.

''(But) I would possibly include a much faster vehicle like the Jervis Bay.''

The Jervis Bay was a high speed catamaran ferry commissioned in the ADF during the Timor intervention.

He said it was ''extremely unlikely'' the LHDs would ever be used for the job they were designed to carry out - amphibious assaults.

Ships must be ready - ex-chief

Is it a hint that the Canberra Class would almost certainly converted into Mini-Carrier and carry F-35??

 

[Viet]

Men refused bail over half-tonne of ice
A Vietmanese Australian, an Hong Kong Chinese and a Singaporean come together, the only common goal is drugs.
We need to recents these people as they bring the Asian Name down everywhere.

Congrat on the AFP for the drug bust. Worth 438 millions dollars....

Actually that´s such a stupid act, considering how tough Australia controls at border gates.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Australian Industry: Competitive on the World Stage

ADA has been providing the body armour for ADF soldier (photo : ADF)

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly today acknowledged the vital contribution the Australian defence industry sector made to equipping and sustaining the Australian Defence Force.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that Defence provides continuing opportunities for local industry to compete for work based on open, transparent and accountable processes.

“Effective materiel solutions for the ADF and value for money for the taxpayer will remain the primary considerations,” Dr Kelly said.

In the past 12 months Australian companies have signed major, long-term contracts with Defence. Some examples include:

-Thales Australia has received several contracts totalling approximately $620 million including for the sustainment of maritime systems including on-board systems and equipment for the Navy’s ANZAC and HUON class warships;
-ASC Pty Ltd has been awarded contracts to the total value of approximately $813 million for the provision of sustainment services and equipment, including for Collins Class submarines;
-Canberra company CEA Technologies has received work valued at almost $20 million;
-Australian Defence Apparel has been awarded contracts to the total value of almost $19 million for the manufacture and supply of soldier ballistic plates and protective equipment;
-Bruck Textiles has also received contracts to the total value of around $8 million to manufacture and supply camouflage uniforms; and-
-Nova Defence (Nova Systems) received contracts totalling nearly $12 million for the provision of engineering services for ADF aircraft, helicopters and ship systems.

“As [BAE Systems Australia chief executive] David Allott said recently, and this is a view shared by me and many others, the technology and skills invested by Australian companies in defence work are at the high-end,” Dr Kelly said.

“They provide an incubator and proving ground for technology, knowledge and capacity that can be grown and leveraged across other sectors of industry.

“In individual sectors like shipbuilding and repair, the challenge is to harness those skills and avoid productivity dips.

“The Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan, which the Government will this year release, offers us a great opportunity to tackle those issues in the maritime domain, and more effectively plan for the future.”

Last week Dr Kelly met with a cross-section of Defence companies and received briefings on both current projects and new developments during his visit to the Australian International Airshow and Defence Exposition at Avalon in Victoria.

“It’s encouraging to hear from companies like Northrop Grumman who are looking to come to Australia and set up their base here,” Dr Kelly said.

“I was also really impressed by some of our SMEs and the way they are innovating, working together with Defence and other industry companies to develop new product solutions.”

Industry assistance programs managed by Defence through the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) provide grants and funding to companies seeking to develop new equipment solutions, and to pursue export opportunities that will ultimately benefit both Defence and industry.

“Programs such as the Global Supply Chain program and the Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program have been well received by industry and are delivering real results,” Dr Kelly said.

“This is not about just handing out cash. These are targeted programs and investments to encourage defence companies to build or maintain their footprint and skills in Australia, and to help Australian firms to be more competitive on the world stage.”

Under the Global Supply Chain program to date more than 200 contracts have been awarded to 61 Australian companies to the value of $540 million.

The Priority Industry Capability Innovation Program (PIC IP) provides financial support to Australian defence companies to commercialise innovative projects that support a PIC area. The financial support is in the form of matched, repayable grants. The first round of grants totalling $12.1 million was awarded in May 2012 to a total of nine companies. A second round of applications has now closed, with an announcement of successful grant recipients expected in May 2013.

Industry has also been actively engaged with critical work in the early phases of capability development through initiatives under the Rapid Prototyping, Development and Evaluation (RPDE, pronounced RAPID) banner and through the Defence Materials Technology Centre.

Dr Kelly also clarified recent reports of the proportion of defence expenditure that stays in Australia.

“It’s important to have the debate but for the debate to be based on the facts,” Dr Kelly said.

“Since 2009, Defence has been modelling materiel expenditure by location using a rigorous and consistent approach.

“Defence’s analysis has consistently shown that between 52 and 60 per cent of existing work is done in Australia. The good news is that in the current financial year Defence expects that aggregate figure to be as high as 59 per cent.”

“This equates to $4.7 billion of expenditure on defence equipment and through-life support activities in Australia this financial year, and is anticipated to grow across the four-year forward estimates,” Dr Kelly said.

Recent initiatives including the release of Public Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Plans are enhancing industry awareness of opportunities within the supply chains of major companies.

Six of these plans have already been publicly released with work well underway on the development of Australian Industry Plans in support of major programs such as Future Submarines, Future Frigates and LAND 400 Combat Vehicles.

(Aus DoD)


Australian Industry Working on JDAM

JDAM Extended Range (JDAM-ER) bomb was an Australian initiative to extend the range of an existing JDAM weapon (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly today welcomed the Boeing Company’s selection of Australian supplier Ferra Engineering Pty Ltd to manufacture a new extended range wing kit that will enhance the performance of the Royal Australian Air Force’s Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).

Dr Kelly said the JDAM Extended Range (JDAM-ER) bomb was an Australian initiative to extend the range of an existing JDAM weapon, used by Australia’s fleet of F/A-18A/B Hornets, by combining it with the newly-developed wing kit.

“The wing kit will almost triple the weapon’s current range, making the JDAM-ER a very cost effective weapon,” Dr Kelly said.

“The wing kit is based on the ‘Kerkanya’ glide technology initially developed by Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

“Boeing Defence Space and Security (BDS) as the original equipment manufacturer of the JDAM was selected to develop the JDAM-ER.

“Through its Office of Australian Industry Capability – established under Defence’s highly successful Global Supply Chain program – Boeing has demonstrated its confidence in Australian industry by selecting a local manufacturer to produce the wing kits.”

Based in Queensland, Ferra Engineering is one of the largest independently owned Australian manufacturers specialising in the precision engineering of aerospace parts.

“Ferra Engineering is well recognised across industry and by Government as a leader in its field. In 2011 they received Boeing’s International Supplier of the Year award from a supply base of over 13,500 suppliers,” Dr Kelly said.

Dr Kelly noted Ferra Engineering had received financial assistance and other support from Defence including through the New Air Combat Capability Industry Support Program (NACC-ISP) and as a regular participant in Team Australia displays at international defence exhibitions.

The first wing kits will be used for the JDAM-ER flight tests scheduled to be conducted later this year. Initial production orders are expected to be completed by 2015. This program provides potential for future worldwide sales and exports.

(Aus DoD)

 

[Gold1010]

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP today announced the final keel block for the future destroyer, Hobart, has been successfully lifted into place by the AWD Alliance in Adelaide.

Dr Kelly said the final keel block is the 18th of 31 blocks to be joined into what is rapidly becoming the recognisable structure of the Hobart.

“This particular block will house flotation and stabilisation equipment for the Hobart and will now be consolidated into the existing ship structure to complete the keel,” Dr Kelly said.

“The keel is the main structural element stretching along the centre line of the bottom of a ship from the bow to the stern.

“The keel blocks will contain part of the Vertical Launch System, the diesel and gas turbine main engine rooms, auxiliary engine rooms, ballast tanks, propeller shafts and sonar equipment.”

Each destroyer will have six Vertical Launch System modules containing eight cells which are able to store and launch missiles.

“There are a total of 48 cells in each ship, with each cell able to be armed with either a single Standard Missile 2, or four Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles.

“The Hobart Class destroyers will provide the Royal Australian Navy with the most capable warships they have ever operated, with a sophisticated range of both offensive and defensive weapons.”

Dr Kelly said the AWD project is the most complex naval ship construction program ever undertaken in Australia.

“This milestone demonstrates the ongoing progress and quality of work being undertaken by the national shipbuilding industry across the country,” Dr Kelly said.

Consolidation of the entire hull will be complete in early 2014 and will be followed by fit-out and testing of the ships’ systems before sea trials are undertaken.

The AWD Alliance is made up of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) representing the Australian Government, ASC as the lead shipbuilder and Raytheon Australia as the mission systems integrator.

Defence Materiel Organisation

Australian alliances.

Five power Defence agreement (UK, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and AUS)

ANZUS (USA, New Zealand and Australia)

 

[Gold1010]

Are you guys in favour of building our own subs or buying them off the shelf?

 

[Roybot]

Is it a hint that the Canberra Class would almost certainly converted into Mini-Carrier and carry F-35??

I think that was the plan from the very beginning. You ll notice that almost all the F-35 partner and prospective customers like Japan and South Korea have LHD/Helicopter carriers in works. Can't be a coincidence !

BTW, HMAS Canberra is almost ready for trials.

Exclusive report: Inside HMAS Canberra | Information, Gadgets, Mobile Phones News & Reviews | News.com.au

 

[Gold1010]

I think that was the plan from the very beginning. You ll notice that almost all the F-35 partner and prospective customers like Japan and South Korea have LHD/Helicopter carriers in works. Can't be a coincidence !

BTW, HMAS Canberra is almost ready for trials.

Exclusive report: Inside HMAS Canberra | Information, Gadgets, Mobile Phones News & Reviews | News.com.au

Any idea where it is to be based, i live right next to garden island(west)

I still think we should have a major naval base in the Darwin-Palmerston region.

 

[Gold1010]

Anyone been watching the ashes btw, i have to keep flicking between that and the Tour De France.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Are you guys in favour of building our own subs or buying them off the shelf?

If you're not hurting on money or time I say built it, but if you do buy it!

I think that was the plan from the very beginning. You ll notice that almost all the F-35 partner and prospective customers like Japan and South Korea have LHD/Helicopter carriers in works. Can't be a coincidence !

Dude are you crazy you can't configure a Helicopter Carrier into an Aircraft carrier & beside Australia & Japan only places order on the conventional F-35.

 

[Gold1010]

Taskforce to examine navy move from Sydney to Brisbane

KEVIN Rudd has committed to lifting defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP, but has declined to give a timeline for the multibillion initiative after announcing a plan to relocate key navy assets to Australia's north.

The Prime Minister today announced a three-person taskforce would take 24 months to provide a report to government on the relocation of significant parts of the navy from Sydney's Garden Island to northern outposts if he won the September 7 election.

The taskforce - consisting of the chief of the defence force, the secretary of the defence department and the chief of navy - would advise government on the recommendations contained in the 2012 Defence Force Posture Review.

Currently defence spending is running at $25.4bn for the 2013-14 year or 1.59 per cent of GDP. This means the cost of relocating the navy base and lifting overall defence spending will cost many billions of dollars in coming years.

"Of course, our objective remains to sustain defence expenditure at 2 per cent of GDP," Mr Rudd said today.

Mr Rudd has made foreign policy and defence a central plank of his campaigning over the past few days, flying urgently to Canberra on Saturday to receive briefings on the apparent use of chemical weapons in Syria and today flagging dramatic changes to the structure of Australia's defence forces.

In his address to the Lowy Institute in Sydney this morning, Mr Rudd said the force posture review had recommended the government consider an alternative location for Fleet Base East at Sydney's historic Garden Island.

The review suggested defence plan for a supplementary base in Brisbane for submarines and large amphibious ships and that options be developed for amphibious ships to embark army units in Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin.

"If re-elected the government will establish the future navy taskforce that will provide advice to government on implementing these recommendations and other recommendations of the Australian Defence Force Posture Review and the 2013 Defence White Paper," Mr Rudd said.

"The taskforce will provide advice on the timing, proportions and implementation of moving some or all of fleet base east to Queensland or Perth and developing, upgrading or expanding Darwin and Broome."

Mr Rudd said that Australia's national security challenges going into the future would lie to Australia's northern approaches.

He said that Australia's defence force would need to undertake humanitarian and disaster relief operations in the immediate neighbourhood, conduct operations to Australia's north and that there would be enhanced co-operation with the US and other regional partners.

Mr Rudd said that he expected any relocation of fleet elements to be finalised and completed by 2030.

"This would include a major strategic decision to deploy the navy's most important ships where they'll be best placed to protect Australia's interests and quickly respond to challenges," he said. "The relocation of fleet base east would also deliver economic benefits to NSW and Queensland. It would help open up Garden Island to the possibility of exciting new uses such as greater public green spaces on Sydney's foreshore."

However, the 2013 White Paper cast doubt over the relocation of naval assets up north. It explicitly stated that the government would "proceed with plans to develop Fleet Base East (Garden Island) as the home port for the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships and Air Warfare Destroyers".

But, in his remarks to the Lowy Institute today, Mr Rudd said that relocating these assets to Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin and HMAS Stirling in Perth would help set a higher tempo for military operations.

Speaking later at a doorstop, Mr Rudd said the money for the relocation would not come from within the defence budget and that details on the total costs would be provided by the three-man taskforce he would establish.

"We will not be drawing from within Defence's existing budget for the future operationalisation of this plan," he said.

Mr Rudd said he had been in "deep consultations" with the Defence Minister about the plan, but did not say whether he had consulted with the top navy brass.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...dney-to-brisbane/story-fn9qr68y-1226704934011

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Australia Navy Plan ‘No Cause for Concern’
By Rebecca Lake on 10:12 pm August 29, 2013.

Three Australian Defense vessels docked at the Garden Island Navy base in Sydney. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has revived a plan to move Australia’s navy north and out of its eastern base in Sydney Harbor. (Reuters Photo/Daniel Munoz)

The Indonesian Defense Ministry says it believes Australia’s revival of a plan to move its navy north is no cause for concern, as discussions come to a close at the second Asean Defense Ministerial Meeting in Brunei today.

Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Sisriadi praised the Australian government for its transparency in communicating the defense plan, which includes the relocation of key naval assets from Sydney, New South Wales, to Queensland state.

Sisriadi said it was important to respect Australia’s sovereign right to conduct internal military operations without interference from other nations.

The move should be seen as a way to bring the two nations closer together and “facilitate joint cooperation,” he told the Jakarta Globe on Thursday adding that Indonesia was thoroughly briefed by Australia well before this week’s announcement.

“With this level of communication there is no reason for suspicion,” the spokesman said.

On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that if re-elected on Sept. 7, he would establish a task force to potentially shift the entire Garden Island Fleet Base to Queensland and to Perth, Western Australia. He also proposed the possibility of “developing, upgrading or expanding” bases in Darwin in the Northern Territory, and the town of Broome in the north of Western Australia.

Rudd’s proposed military overhaul, which if implemented is expected to be completed by 2030, comes just three months after a major review of Australian defense strategy ruled out the shift.

Sisriadi highlighted the potential for further military training for Indonesian forces if Rudd’s defense plan went ahead.

The boost in Australian security in the country’s north, less than 1,000 kilometers from Indonesia, means more overall assistance from the archipelago’s neighbor, Sisriadi said.

Indonesian defense analyst and author Salim Said agreed that Australia was entitled to implement a defense strategy within its borders, saying that in the short term there should be no cause for concern.

Salim said the Indonesian Defense Ministry’s diplomatic response to Australia’s national security plan, for now, was a “reasonable reaction,” but he warned of “future problems.”

“If, one day, Australia has a leader who is not sympathetic to Indonesia’s rights as a sovereign nation … then there is a possibility of an increased threat,” Salim said, adding that Indonesia must take this scenario into consideration by continuing to strengthen its defense forces.

Aleksius Jemadu, the dean of Pelita Harapan University’s School of Social and Political Sciences, expressed the importance of maintaining mutual trust between the two countries.

“As a close neighbor I think Indonesia is in the position to be sensitive about Australia’s defense policies,” he said.

With consideration to the close geographical proximity, Aleksius expressed the importance of Australia being explicit about its intentions for such a “large policy change,” adding that “economically Australia must also take its position within the region into account.”

Australia’s latest defense policy revision comes after the controversial establishment of a US military base in Darwin in 2011, seen as part of Washington’s “pivot” to Asia or an attempt to rebalance the superpower’s military strategy within the region in light of China’s increasing clout.

When the US base was announced it was initially met with caution by some Indonesian officials, including Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa who said, “What I would hate to see is for the agreement to provoke a reaction and counter-reaction that would create a vicious cycle of tensions and mistrust.”

According to Sisriadi, regional conferences such as the Second Asean Defense Ministerial Meeting (ADMM) Plus, hailed as Southeast Asia’s most important annual defense ministerial conference, were key to fostering mutual understanding between states of their respective defense policies.

He said the US presence in Darwin was covered at the ADMM, and that this discussion of Washington’s “regional strategy” should be welcomed as a step in the right direction toward defense cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia Navy Plan